By now y'all know that my favorite singer/songwriter is Guy Clark. There's a line in one of his songs that struck me as I was thinking about this unit on teams:
"Everybody's got some baggage; she knows how to travel light."
When we consider teams in organizations we need to realize that we all bring our individual differences (personality traits, motive patterns, affect, needs) and interpersonal styles to our teams. All of that stuff (baggage) comes into play in the team context.
We also have different skill sets and abilities and we need to appreciate the differences. Rather than allowing differences to divide us, we need to seek to find ways that all of these differences can complement and complete us - both individually and as a team.
Recently we have been discussing the topics of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and forgiveness in my Organizational Behavior graduate class. These are so important. OCBs are the extra-role behaviors that can provide "oil" in a team to reduce the friction. And of course, forgiving is huge.
When I think of OCBs I am reminded of what I call the "one another principles." These appear throughout the writings of the apostle Paul in the New Testament. Here's a sampling:
Love one another
Bear with one another
Bear one another's burdens
Encourage one another
Forgive one another
Pray for one another
Honor one another
In the original language (Greek), there are two words for "other." One is an other of a different kind (heteros). But the word used in these phrases is different. It is allos - another of the same kind.
Applying that to our discussion of teams means that we are on the same team - we are others of the same kind.
OCBs and One Another Principles can act like WD40 for our teams. Like WD40, these can reduce the friction, and eliminate the squeaks that occur when we rub up against one another in our teams.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Changing My Script - Part 2
In my last post I described the script changes required of me when I decided to join a new gym. That decision should have been made a while back. The conditions prompting the decision have been present for quite a while.
Why did I wait so long?
Perhaps I had some form of commitment to the old gym ...
Organizational behaviorists talk about different kinds of commitment to an organization. The first is normative commitment. This refers to a deeply internalized set of values. People who have normative commitment stay because they feel that they “ought to.”
The second kind of commitment is affective commitment. This is staying because you believe in the organization’s mission and values. You feel you have an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than your self. You are staying because you “want to.”
The third kind of commitment is called continuance commitment. This is staying because “I can’t afford to leave.” It may take the form of “I don’t have another place to go,” or “I have too much invested here,” or “I wouldn’t get the same level of compensation (pay, recognition, title) someplace else.”
Or, it may be because you would have to give up your comfort to change.
Hopefully you realize that affective commitment is the “higher level” of commitment.
But, I wonder how many of us are staying put because of continuance commitment?
Perhaps it’s time to allow yourself the discomfort of changing your script and finding the place where you can commit because you want to!
Why did I wait so long?
Perhaps I had some form of commitment to the old gym ...
Organizational behaviorists talk about different kinds of commitment to an organization. The first is normative commitment. This refers to a deeply internalized set of values. People who have normative commitment stay because they feel that they “ought to.”
The second kind of commitment is affective commitment. This is staying because you believe in the organization’s mission and values. You feel you have an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than your self. You are staying because you “want to.”
The third kind of commitment is called continuance commitment. This is staying because “I can’t afford to leave.” It may take the form of “I don’t have another place to go,” or “I have too much invested here,” or “I wouldn’t get the same level of compensation (pay, recognition, title) someplace else.”
Or, it may be because you would have to give up your comfort to change.
Hopefully you realize that affective commitment is the “higher level” of commitment.
But, I wonder how many of us are staying put because of continuance commitment?
Perhaps it’s time to allow yourself the discomfort of changing your script and finding the place where you can commit because you want to!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Changing My Script - Part 1
… and allowing myself the discomfort.
I made a decision to change something this week, and as with most changes it has created some discomfort.
For the last 12 years I have maintained – and actually used – a membership at the same fitness center. However, over the last couple of years the gym has become “old” – there have been no equipment upgrades and much of the existing equipment breaks frequently and the repairs have not been timely.
So I joined a new gym.
And this is requiring multiple script changes. First, the new gym is in a different area. So, the “driving to the gym” script will have to change. There are multiple routes to and from the new place. I have only been 3 times so far, so a new “driving to the gym” script has not been developed.
The “workout script” will also have to change. New machines, new layout. The familiar is gone. It will take a while to get comfortable here.
As I contemplated this decision this week, I realized that a major script change would be required and I almost didn’t do the deal. It would have been much easier – and comfortable – to stay with the old gym, even in decline.
But, I decided to allow myself the discomfort.
As I contemplate all of this, I wonder if people stay in the same job, or go to the same gym, or continue to attend the same church for similar reasons. The thrill of a challenge is gone, needs aren’t being met: yet, it’s comfortable. I know what to expect here and I know what is expected of me.
And besides, change creates discomfort.
Are you willing to allow yourself the discomfort?
I made a decision to change something this week, and as with most changes it has created some discomfort.
For the last 12 years I have maintained – and actually used – a membership at the same fitness center. However, over the last couple of years the gym has become “old” – there have been no equipment upgrades and much of the existing equipment breaks frequently and the repairs have not been timely.
So I joined a new gym.
And this is requiring multiple script changes. First, the new gym is in a different area. So, the “driving to the gym” script will have to change. There are multiple routes to and from the new place. I have only been 3 times so far, so a new “driving to the gym” script has not been developed.
The “workout script” will also have to change. New machines, new layout. The familiar is gone. It will take a while to get comfortable here.
As I contemplated this decision this week, I realized that a major script change would be required and I almost didn’t do the deal. It would have been much easier – and comfortable – to stay with the old gym, even in decline.
But, I decided to allow myself the discomfort.
As I contemplate all of this, I wonder if people stay in the same job, or go to the same gym, or continue to attend the same church for similar reasons. The thrill of a challenge is gone, needs aren’t being met: yet, it’s comfortable. I know what to expect here and I know what is expected of me.
And besides, change creates discomfort.
Are you willing to allow yourself the discomfort?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What a Difference a Year Makes
Do you ever pause and consider where you were a year ago?
At this time last year ...
Easton wasn't here; but we knew he was coming.
Shannon and Justin weren't parents.
Lamar and Jennifer were not Uncle and Aunt.
Ryan wasn't here either; and we had no idea that he would be joining us.
The pool of our dreams was still a dream and there were no plans of building it. Now it waits for the warm weather to return.
Lolly-Pop Sundays hadn't been invented.
We hadn't found LifeChurch Fort Worth.
Jordan wasn't engaged, but we thought it would happen.
Janelle didn't have a full-time job; but now she has one she loves.
At this time last year ...
Easton wasn't here; but we knew he was coming.
Shannon and Justin weren't parents.
Lamar and Jennifer were not Uncle and Aunt.
Ryan wasn't here either; and we had no idea that he would be joining us.
The pool of our dreams was still a dream and there were no plans of building it. Now it waits for the warm weather to return.
Lolly-Pop Sundays hadn't been invented.
We hadn't found LifeChurch Fort Worth.
Jordan wasn't engaged, but we thought it would happen.
Janelle didn't have a full-time job; but now she has one she loves.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Angel Flight
On his CD, Revival, Randney Foster sings a song called Angel Flight. Its a song about the pilots who fly the bodies of soldiers who were killed in action home.
Its a powerful song that took on new meaning for me this week.
Our friend Jimmy Whitlock lost his son Nick last weekend. Nick was a special ops pilot whose plane crashed in Africa. Jimmy's oldest son called me Monday with the news. As he called, his father was on his way to Dover to meet the plane that was bringing Nick's body home.
This Saturday, Nick will make his final journey and be brought home to Newnan, Georgia.
I cannot imagine the pain of such a loss. When I spoke to Jimmy this morning I told him that Nick loved to fly and he loved his country. Jimmy told me how proud he was of Nick. "He was making a difference."
I pray that the Whitlock family will experience the fullness and sufficiency of God's grace as they walk through this together.
Angel Flight
All I ever wanted to do was fly
Leave this world and live in the sky
I left the C130 out of Fort Worth town
I go up some days, I dont wanna come down
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight
Come on brother, you're with me tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
I love my family and I love this land
But tonight this flights for another man
We do what we do cause we heard the call
Some gave a little but he gave it all
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight -
Come on brother, you're with me tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
The cockpit's quiet and the stars are bright -
Feels kinda like church in here tonight.
It don't matter where we touch down -
On the Angel Flight it's a sacred ground.
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight -
Got a Hero riding with us tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
Its a powerful song that took on new meaning for me this week.
Our friend Jimmy Whitlock lost his son Nick last weekend. Nick was a special ops pilot whose plane crashed in Africa. Jimmy's oldest son called me Monday with the news. As he called, his father was on his way to Dover to meet the plane that was bringing Nick's body home.
This Saturday, Nick will make his final journey and be brought home to Newnan, Georgia.
I cannot imagine the pain of such a loss. When I spoke to Jimmy this morning I told him that Nick loved to fly and he loved his country. Jimmy told me how proud he was of Nick. "He was making a difference."
I pray that the Whitlock family will experience the fullness and sufficiency of God's grace as they walk through this together.
Angel Flight
All I ever wanted to do was fly
Leave this world and live in the sky
I left the C130 out of Fort Worth town
I go up some days, I dont wanna come down
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight
Come on brother, you're with me tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
I love my family and I love this land
But tonight this flights for another man
We do what we do cause we heard the call
Some gave a little but he gave it all
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight -
Come on brother, you're with me tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
The cockpit's quiet and the stars are bright -
Feels kinda like church in here tonight.
It don't matter where we touch down -
On the Angel Flight it's a sacred ground.
I fly that plane called the Angel Flight -
Got a Hero riding with us tonight.
Between heaven and earth, you're never alone -
on the Angel Flight, come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
come on brother, I'm taking you home.
Monday, February 20, 2012
I can’t motivate anyone …
Legendary football coach Lou Holtz once said, "I can't motivate anyone. All I can do is remove those who won't motivate themselves."
I think about that every time I teach "Motivation Theory" in my classes. His quote begs the question:
Is motivation something that our boss does to us, or is it something we do for ourselves?
Gretchen Spreitzer and Robert Quinn make a similar point about empowerment in their book, A Company of Leaders. They state that empowerment is not something someone does to you, but something you do for yourself.
If this is true, what is the leader's role in empowerment and motivation?
I think my job is to create an environment where people can empower themselves by providing the resources and tools they need.
I need to run interference and remove the obstacles – just like any good left tackle does!
I need to give them "permission" to empower themselves … and to not resent it and punish them when they do.
I can’t motivate anyone …
I think about that every time I teach "Motivation Theory" in my classes. His quote begs the question:
Is motivation something that our boss does to us, or is it something we do for ourselves?
Gretchen Spreitzer and Robert Quinn make a similar point about empowerment in their book, A Company of Leaders. They state that empowerment is not something someone does to you, but something you do for yourself.
If this is true, what is the leader's role in empowerment and motivation?
I think my job is to create an environment where people can empower themselves by providing the resources and tools they need.
I need to run interference and remove the obstacles – just like any good left tackle does!
I need to give them "permission" to empower themselves … and to not resent it and punish them when they do.
I can’t motivate anyone …
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Six Significant Conversations
A brief conversation.
One sentence in the middle of a broader conversation.
Yet, for some reason that comment stuck with you. It may have even changed the entire direction of your life.
Or, your eternal destiny.
I have been thinking about the most significant conversations I have had thus far in my life. Here are six:
Guy Owen February 1973: I attended a YoungLife meeting in February of 1973. My motive for attending was to see a girl I was interested in. So interested that I was willing to attend a "religious" event like YoungLife. What a surprise! Entertaining, upbeat, and fun. And a very clear presentation of the gospel. I realized that like all people I was a sinner, separated from God, and that no amount of good works could reconcile me to God. But Guy shared the good news with me that Christ had paid the penalty for me and that I simply needed to receive the free gift of salvation by inviting Jesus into my life.
Laura Marsh, June 15, 1973: For a couple of years I had been hearing about a girl that went to Lamar High School who was "crazy about me." Well, I finally met her after one of our baseball games. June 15, 1973 to be exact. We began "going steady" and had to rely on our parents (and Laura's sister Ellen) to shuttle us because we were both still in Driver's Ed with learning permits only.
By the way, 1973 was very good year!
Coach Howington, 1977-78ish: Sometime during my college years I was trying to decide whether to go to Law School or to become a teacher. Coach Howington had a one question response: "Where can you best serve the Lord?"
Lee Van Zant, 1978 (Professor of Economics at Austin College): I had gone to summer school every summer after my freshman year at Austin College. I had enough credits to graduate early, but was considering staying for one more semester to take some additional courses. Lee told me, "J.Lee I think you've gotten all you can get out of Austin College and its time to move on." Sometimes we need a nudge to leave the nest.
Jim Schierling, 1990/91: Jim was the pastor at Mid-Cities Bible Church. I met with him every Friday morning for almost a year as he invested in me. The "career question" was stirring again as I was thinking of going back to school to get my PhD. Jim said, "I think it would be best if you can align your job with your gifts."
Jim Quick/Jim Lewis, 1993: I link these two conversations together because they were so similar it was like we were reading from a script. The conversations happened one week apart during a lunch at the same restaurant. Quick had been my management professor during my MBA; Lewis was my mentor in the business world. I was teaching full-time at UTA (4 courses per semester during my lunch and at night) and working full-time at Air-Dreco. But, I was becoming increasingly unhappy with the Air-Dreco culture.
Both Jims knew I was unhappy and asked me what I would really like to do. To each of them I responded, "I would really like to go back to school and get my PhD so I could make a living doing what I love: teaching." Each of them then asked me why I didn't do that. I gave the same response to each: "I can't afford to. We have 4 children and Laura doesn't work outside the home."
The first Jim responded,"We need to find you a benefactor." I thought that would be nice, but I had no idea how that would happen.
The next week, the same script played out with precision ... right down to the second Jim asking "Why don't you do that?" and my exact response, "I can't afford to..." Then, the script changed. The second Jim's response was, "What if I provided the financial support you need to do that."
I almost fell out of my chair. He loaned us the money that provided the initial funding for me to pursue my PhD.
Six significant conversations that changed my life.
What are the significant conversations that impacted your life?
One sentence in the middle of a broader conversation.
Yet, for some reason that comment stuck with you. It may have even changed the entire direction of your life.
Or, your eternal destiny.
I have been thinking about the most significant conversations I have had thus far in my life. Here are six:
Guy Owen February 1973: I attended a YoungLife meeting in February of 1973. My motive for attending was to see a girl I was interested in. So interested that I was willing to attend a "religious" event like YoungLife. What a surprise! Entertaining, upbeat, and fun. And a very clear presentation of the gospel. I realized that like all people I was a sinner, separated from God, and that no amount of good works could reconcile me to God. But Guy shared the good news with me that Christ had paid the penalty for me and that I simply needed to receive the free gift of salvation by inviting Jesus into my life.
Laura Marsh, June 15, 1973: For a couple of years I had been hearing about a girl that went to Lamar High School who was "crazy about me." Well, I finally met her after one of our baseball games. June 15, 1973 to be exact. We began "going steady" and had to rely on our parents (and Laura's sister Ellen) to shuttle us because we were both still in Driver's Ed with learning permits only.
By the way, 1973 was very good year!
Coach Howington, 1977-78ish: Sometime during my college years I was trying to decide whether to go to Law School or to become a teacher. Coach Howington had a one question response: "Where can you best serve the Lord?"
Lee Van Zant, 1978 (Professor of Economics at Austin College): I had gone to summer school every summer after my freshman year at Austin College. I had enough credits to graduate early, but was considering staying for one more semester to take some additional courses. Lee told me, "J.Lee I think you've gotten all you can get out of Austin College and its time to move on." Sometimes we need a nudge to leave the nest.
Jim Schierling, 1990/91: Jim was the pastor at Mid-Cities Bible Church. I met with him every Friday morning for almost a year as he invested in me. The "career question" was stirring again as I was thinking of going back to school to get my PhD. Jim said, "I think it would be best if you can align your job with your gifts."
Jim Quick/Jim Lewis, 1993: I link these two conversations together because they were so similar it was like we were reading from a script. The conversations happened one week apart during a lunch at the same restaurant. Quick had been my management professor during my MBA; Lewis was my mentor in the business world. I was teaching full-time at UTA (4 courses per semester during my lunch and at night) and working full-time at Air-Dreco. But, I was becoming increasingly unhappy with the Air-Dreco culture.
Both Jims knew I was unhappy and asked me what I would really like to do. To each of them I responded, "I would really like to go back to school and get my PhD so I could make a living doing what I love: teaching." Each of them then asked me why I didn't do that. I gave the same response to each: "I can't afford to. We have 4 children and Laura doesn't work outside the home."
The first Jim responded,"We need to find you a benefactor." I thought that would be nice, but I had no idea how that would happen.
The next week, the same script played out with precision ... right down to the second Jim asking "Why don't you do that?" and my exact response, "I can't afford to..." Then, the script changed. The second Jim's response was, "What if I provided the financial support you need to do that."
I almost fell out of my chair. He loaned us the money that provided the initial funding for me to pursue my PhD.
Six significant conversations that changed my life.
What are the significant conversations that impacted your life?
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